Beijing
The Imperial Capital & Cultural Heart
Welcome to Beijing! This guide covers an essential itinerary flexible for 4 to 5 days, along with local cuisine, transportation, and accommodation tips to ensure a smooth trip for international visitors.
1. Attractions
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of attraction name and paste in map app to see the location.
Note: Some major attractions require reservations even with tickets. Be sure to use Trip.com to purchase and reserve simultaneously
Day 1: The Imperial Core
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
One of the largest public squares in the world and a symbolic heart of China.
The Palace Museum (故宫博物院)
The world's largest imperial palace complex, home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Jingshan Park (景山公园)
Climb the hill immediately north of the Forbidden City for the best panoramic view of the palace.
Day 2: History & Rituals
National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆)
A massive museum flanking the square, housing over 1 million cultural artifacts.
Temple of Heaven Park (天坛公园)
An iconic architectural masterpiece where emperors prayed for good harvests. Great for seeing locals practice Tai Chi.
Day 3: Royal Gardens & Universities
Summer Palace (颐和园)
A vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces serving as the imperial summer retreat.
Old Summer Palace (圆明园)
Known for its tragic history and European-style stone ruins.
Tsinghua / Peking University (清华大学 / 北京大学)
China's most prestigious universities with beautiful historic campuses.
Day 4: The Great Wall & Relaxing Dinner
Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城)
The most famous and preserved section. Hiking here is physically demanding, so pace yourself.
Shichahai & Hutong Dinner (什刹海 & 胡同晚餐)
Relaxing evening by the lakes. Famous for Hutong restaurants and bars. Enjoy hotpot or snacks.
Day 5: Temples & Olympics (Optional)
Lama Temple (雍和宫)
The most colorful and renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet.
Prince Gong’s Mansion (恭王府)
The largest and best-preserved royal mansion from the Qing Dynasty.
Bird’s Nest / Water Cube (鸟巢 / 水立方)
Modern architectural marvels from the 2008 Olympics. Best visited at night when illuminated.
2. Food
Note: Food items may contain allergens. Please confirm with restaurant staff directly
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of food name and paste in Dianping app to find restaurants.
Classic Beijing Staples
Zhajiangmian
炸酱面
Chewy hand-pulled noodles topped with savory pork sauce and fresh veggies.
Tangyoubing
糖油饼
A sweet, fluffy, deep-fried breakfast treat.
Hardcore Feasts
Copper Pot Hotpot
铜锅涮肉
Thinly sliced mutton cooked instantly in boiling water. Try Jubaoyuan(聚宝源) or Nanmen Shuanrou（南门涮肉） Restaurant.
Peking Duck
北京烤鸭
Crispy skin and tender meat wrapped in thin pancakes.
Snacks & Desserts
Douzhi
豆汁儿
Warning: Very sour smell—for the brave only! Paired with fried dough rings.
Wandouhuang
豌豆黄
Smooth, sweet pea flour cake.
Lvdagun
驴打滚
Sticky rice cake with red bean paste rolled in soybean flour.
Tanghulu
冰糖葫芦
Candied hawthorn fruits on a stick.
3. Transportation
Arrival
- Air: Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX). Both have express trains.Check flights via
- Train: Beijing South, Beijing West, etc. All connected by subway.Check trains via
City Transport
- Subway: Best option. Use Alipay (Transport) to scan QR code.
- Ride Hailing: Use DiDi via Alipay/WeChat. Avoid illegal "Black Taxis".
- Short Distance: Shared bicycles (scan via Alipay/WeChat).
4. Where to Stay
Qianmen / Dashilan
Top Pick. Walking distance to Tiananmen/Forbidden City.
Shichahai / Nanluoguxiang
Hutong culture and vibrant nightlife.
Xidan / Dongdan
Major commercial hubs. Shopping and transport.
Guomao / CBD
High-end luxury hotels and skyscrapers.
5. Essential Tips
💡 Top Tips
- Reservations: Critical! Book Forbidden City/Tiananmen 7 days in advance.
- Walking: Expect 15,000+ steps/day. Wear comfortable shoes.
- Weather: Hot summers, dry/windy winters. Spring/autumn is best.
- Great Wall: Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling. Take High-Speed Train to Badaling.